You can get a Rossie .357 in SS for $299 at Academy. A very functional self-defense gun patterned on 1980’s design by SW or Colt.
I actually bought a Taurus Millenium PT140, .40...good reviews and a nice gun. Fits my hand perfectly (I have medium to small hands). Gonna clean it then get it out to the range sometime next week. Good price on it too.